Dean of the Faculty Jamshed Bharucha announced Friday that he is leaving Dartmouth to become Tufts University's next provost and senior vice president after only one year in his current position.
Bharucha will assume his new post August 1, following his June 30 departure from the College. The position of provost is Tufts' most senior office next to university president.
According to Bharucha, his new responsibilities include "shaping the intellectual and academic agenda of the university and developing a vision to take the university to the next level."
On why he decided to leave Dartmouth so soon after his promotion to dean of the faculty, Bharucha said that his new position "is number-two at a strong institution and provides me with both professional and personal opportunities and challenges."
"When people get into administration at this level, one is frequently contacted by other institutions," Bharucha said. "I would not normally have entertained anything so soon into my deanship, but this particular opportunity seemed a good fit for both personal and professional reasons."
President of the College James Wright congratulated his colleague on his new appointment.
"I was the associate dean of the faculty who first appointed [Bharucha] in 1983" to a professorial position, Wright said. "I think Tufts has made a strong appointment. I wish him and Shirley the best."
While Wright did not formally learn of Bharucha's upcoming move to Tufts until April 3, he "had certainly been aware of it as a possibility for several weeks."
Faculty and administrators noted Bharucha's leadership strengths and commitment to academic excellence.
"Although he's a psychologist, he has sensitivities in the humanities which are rare for a dean of the faculty," English Professor Donald Pease said. "I knew as soon as he became dean of the faculty he would become very attractive to institutions across the country."
Bharucha "understands how to bring the both undergraduate faculty and the undergraduate student body in relation with the professional schools in ways which advance the ideals of the liberal-arts philosophy," Pease added.
Education Professor Andrew Garrod, Bharucha's friend of 17 years, echoed faculty sentiments of sadness and appreciation.
"Jamshed Bharucha has been an extraordinary friend and adviser to me personally and a staunch and eloquent supporter of the education department and its mission at this college," Garrod said.
"Dartmouth will sorely miss a man of his principled approach to leadership and administration," Garrod added.
Provost Barry Scherr agreed. "I'm very sorry to see him leaving Dartmouth. It's been a pleasure to be working with him all this time."
According to Bharucha, the process to name his replacement, to be conducted by a committee of administration members, will begin soon.
"I've loved Dartmouth," Bharucha said. "Dartmouth has been my home and my life for 19 years, and I'll be very sad to leave."
